Black belt standard

[Lupin1]

I believe that those that brought the arts to this country had a higher standard imposed upon them than what is expected of students today.

Depends on the system. The Marines who brought Isshinryu to the US studied for maybe a year and half with Shimabuku before he awarded them black belt and when they left him he gave them certificates with the rank he thought they may one day rise to. Upon returning to the US, many of them immediately assumed that rank and began teaching with maybe two years under their belt. Granted the training was harder and many of them were able to train every day, but I still usually try not to think about it...

[devil dog]

Unfortunately I have heard the same stories. As a Marine I would hope that brothers in arms would have more integrity than this but I have heard this same thing from my old instructor.